1
as in occultism
the power to control natural forces through supernatural means
… an alchemy that changed metals rarer than gold into elements more baneful than lead.—
James Gleick
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2
as in magic
the power to do something impressive in a way that seems mysterious or supernatural
They marveled at the digital alchemy that turns lines of computer code into a beautiful user interface.
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Recent Examples of alchemy
But there’s nothing like the alchemy of outdoor adrenaline, adventurous companions and a late-night dose of athletic audacity.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 8 Dec. 2025
In the early 1600s, though, a series of texts attributed to a German theologian introduced the Rosicrucian order, and the ideas of alchemy, mysticism and the connection to ancient wisdom influenced a panoply of thinkers and esoteric movements throughout Europe and, eventually, the world.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2025
Fans of dark storytelling will find cruel necromancers, derelict mansions and strange alchemies in this page-turning epic.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
Few know the alchemy of unsettling audio design better than Nine Inch Nails and one-time Guns n’ Roses guitarist Robin Finck, who toured with NIN from 1994 to 2000, and returned for their subsequent road shows from 2013 to the present.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alchemy
Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 8 Dec. 2025
In the early 1600s, though, a series of texts attributed to a German theologian introduced the Rosicrucian order, and the ideas of alchemy, mysticism and the connection to ancient wisdom influenced a panoply of thinkers and esoteric movements throughout Europe and, eventually, the world.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2025
Fans of dark storytelling will find cruel necromancers, derelict mansions and strange alchemies in this page-turning epic.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
Few know the alchemy of unsettling audio design better than Nine Inch Nails and one-time Guns n’ Roses guitarist Robin Finck, who toured with NIN from 1994 to 2000, and returned for their subsequent road shows from 2013 to the present.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alchemy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alchemy
Noun
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The relationship between the Nazis and the occult wasn’t black or white, but according to historian Eric Kurlander, Nazism and various branches of occultism became noticeably intertwined almost immediately after the founding of the National Socialist German Workers Party in 1919.—
Angelica Frey,
JSTOR Daily,
8 Oct. 2025
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Pynchon’s daunting masterpiece, a white whale of a Great American Novel, is stuffed with pun-tastic songs, rocket science and World War II-era occultism.—
John Lopez,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There are moments when great artists are won over by the magic of certain cities and then forever change the way that the world sees them.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
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There’s an equally eerie and intriguing magic that comes with venturing into the wilderness beneath the light of a full moon.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Part of me wanted to attribute this beautiful sorcery to extensions, but my beauty editor Spidey sense told me otherwise.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
19 Dec. 2025
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The trippy visuals are reminiscent of Doctor Strange's sorcery of the Marvel movies as birds and buildings multiple and fold in on themselves.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Viral weddings and political controversy While witchcraft is an ancient practice and Etsy witches have existed online for years, interest in buying quick spells online surged in 2025 after several influencers praised their results.—
Pilar Melendez,
NBC news,
26 Dec. 2025
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The Glinda alternative, Cherry Blossom Bubble ($48), isn’t quite as authentically connected to witchcraft, but then neither is Glinda.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
20 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Best call Offensive coordinator and then interim Coach Bobby Petrino was in his bag of offensive wizardry at many points throughout the season, but one cool play stands out more than others.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
31 Dec. 2025
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As the 95-year-old prepares to step down as CEO of conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway at the end of this year, many are hailing his financial wizardry.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
14 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alchemy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alchemy. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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